Igbo community in Kogi calls for one Nigeria

– The Igbo community in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital says God who brought Nigerians together as one knows the reason for doing so

– President-general of the group, Maximus Okochi, says Igbo kinsmen living in the state capital and its environs reject calls for the breakup of Nigeria

– Okochi calls on those agitating for a breakup of the country to learn from history

The Igbo community in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, has described the agitation for the breakup of the country as a misplaced priority.

The group told journalist on Saturday, 17, that God who brought Nigerians together as one knows the reason for doing so.

Speaking for the group, Maximus Okochi, who is the president-general of the community said following wide consultations among his Igbo kinsmen living in the state capital and its environs, the group have rejected calls for the breakup of Nigeria, Daily Times reports.

“Even though agitation for independence is not new all over the world, what is strange is the violent way in which such agitation is being made. We are against breaking Nigeria. God who brought us together knows the reason for doing so and no one has the right to separate us. The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable,” he said.

Okochi stated that the Igbos living in Kogi state enjoy a cordial relationship with the indigenes and had intermarried among them.

He called on those agitating for a breakup of the country to learn from history, noting that a breakup will be of no good in the long run.

“If what happened from 1967 to 1970 was a mistake, then there should be no reason to repeat it as repeating a mistake amounts to senselessness which true Igbos are not known for,” Okochi stated.

He however asked the federal government to address the issues of marginalisation, underdevelopment and other injustices fueling the clamour for agitation.

In a statement sent to NAIJ.com, a Facebook user, Yazid Ahmed said the group lauded the peace and conflict resolution moves being done by the Acting President, but noted that it doubted the efficacy of it in bringing a lasting solution to the problem in question rocking the nation at present.